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What are Newsgroups ?

Newsgroups are just places where people discuss various topics.

Newsgroups are extremely useful and can be used to answer your questions.

There are a large number of different newsgroups available including some dedicated ones created by Microsoft.

Before you submit any postings to a newsgroup you should do a search to make sure that your question has not already been answered.

It is possible to search newsgroups using Google. Make sure you select "Groups" at the top before entering your keywords.

There are several ways you can access newsgroups.

Using the Microsoft Website

Logon to the following website: http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx

Using Outlook Express

Using Microsoft Outlook Express is one option and this should come as standard with Internet Explorer.

Select (Tools > Accounts) to display the "Internet Accounts" dialog box.

Select the All tab and select (Add > News).

Enter your Name, E-mail address and then enter the News (NNTP) server msnews.microsoft.com.

This should add the entry to your Local Folders.

Select the entry and you will be prompted to retrieve a list of the available newsgroups.

Select the newsgroup you want to see and select Subscribe.

PowerPoint specific Newsgroups

The following are dedicated newsgroups that have been created by Microsoft and they are pretty self explanatory.

microsoft.public.powerpoint - suitable if you are running PowerPoint on a Windows.

microsoft.public.mac.office.powerpoint - suitable if you are running PowerPoint on a Macintosh.

PowerPoint specific Newsgroups (no longer used)

microsoft.public.powerpoint.mac - this is obselete and should not be used.

Things to Remember

Always make the subject in your message meaningful and to the point.

Avoid posting a message in multiple newsgroups unless it specifically applies to more than one.

Restrict each message to one specific question, for multiple questions submit separate messages.

Never include file attachments and always specify the version of PowerPoint you are using.